Low stone retaining walls, lush plantings, flagstone patio, and lovely trellis and fencing create an appealing garden area. Photo: Lisa Joyce
Elegant backyard patio photo in San Francisco

This private residence and backyard retreat in Dallas, Texas features an expansive natural pool and water feature with the addition of a new outdoor pool pavilion for outdoor entertaining. This new pavilion features detailed wood columns, a slate roof, stone fireplace, Big Ass fan, built-in seat benches and an outdoor shower on the backside. Lush landscaping and a personal putting green are also additional amenities provided to this outdoor space.

Centered on seamless transitions of indoor and outdoor living, this open-planned Spanish Ranch style home is situated atop a modest hill overlooking Western San Diego County. The design references a return to historic Rancho Santa Fe style by utilizing a smooth hand troweled stucco finish, heavy timber accents, and clay tile roofing. By accurately identifying the peak view corridors the house is situated on the site in such a way where the public spaces enjoy panoramic valley views, while the master suite and private garden are afforded majestic hillside views. As see in San Diego magazine, November 2011 http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/San-Diego-Magazine/November-2011/Hilltop-Hacienda/ Photos by: Zack Benson

Large beach style backyard deck photo in Philadelphia with a pergola and a bbq area

Detached covered patio made of custom milled cypress which is durable and weather-resistant. Amenities include a full outdoor kitchen, masonry wood burning fireplace and porch swing.

arbors, trellis, pergolas, decking, custom wood structure, outdoor living space, outdoor seating, outdoor cook station
Example of a classic backyard deck design in Portland with a bbq area

Outdoor Living Space, A-Frame Gazebo, Belgard Pavers, Cedar Decking, Custom In-ground Spa, Firepit w/Custom Bench Seating, Outdoor Fireplace, Outdoor Kitchen With Full Bar & A+ Appliances, Kalmazoo Barbeque, Outdoor TV, Wood Fired Pizza Oven, Dining Deck, Waterfall Feature into Spa, Private retreat, View Deck Living Area, Kids Deck, Child Play Structure, raised garden beds, Privacy fence, Living Wall, Dog Run, Exterior Design Photographs: Be Burke Photography

Reclaimed wood provided by Appalachian Antique Hardwoods. Architect Platt Architecture, PA, Builder Morgan-Keefe, Photographer J. Weiland
Mountain style stone outdoor kitchen porch photo in Other with a roof extension

Inspiration for a rustic patio remodel in New Orleans with a fire pit

Inspiration for a contemporary courtyard patio remodel in San Francisco

The design of this remodel of a small two-level residence in Noe Valley reflects the owner’s passion for Japanese architecture. Having decided to completely gut the interior partitions, we devised a better arranged floor plan with traditional Japanese features, including a sunken floor pit for dining and a vocabulary of natural wood trim and casework. Vertical grain Douglas Fir takes the place of Hinoki wood traditionally used in Japan. Natural wood flooring, soft green granite and green glass backsplashes in the kitchen further develop the desired Zen aesthetic. A wall to wall window above the sunken bath/shower creates a connection to the outdoors. Privacy is provided through the use of switchable glass, which goes from opaque to clear with a flick of a switch. We used in-floor heating to eliminate the noise associated with forced-air systems.

This gourmet kitchen includes wood burning pizza oven, grill, side burner, egg smoker, sink, refrigerator, trash chute, serving station and more! Photography: Daniel Driensky

Berkshire Pool House. Photographer: Rob Karosis
Cottage outdoor patio shower photo in New York with no cover

With the goal of creating a larger and more functional outdoor environment, custom made for year-round outdoor living and entertaining, this oasis was created. By substantially raising the roof, we more than doubled the usable patio space near the home, creating a warm and luxurious outdoor living space with a TV and fireplace, and a one-of-a-kind seated outdoor kitchen, that sits just underneath a custom-made 8’ x 10’ lit copper awning. The entire area is finished 16” x 24” Ankara Travertine on the floor, a Mexican Noce fireplace surround, cedar herringbone soffit, an infrared heater, canvas wind drapery, and a custom woven copper soffit vault.

This cozy, yet gorgeous space added over 310 square feet of outdoor living space and has been in the works for several years. The home had a small covered space that was just not big enough for what the family wanted and needed. They desired a larger space to be able to entertain outdoors in style. With the additional square footage came more concrete and a patio cover to match the original roof line of the home. Brick to match the home was used on the new columns with cedar wrapped posts and the large custom wood burning fireplace that was built. The fireplace has built-in wood holders and a reclaimed beam as the mantle. Low voltage lighting was installed to accent the large hearth that also serves as a seat wall. A privacy wall of stained shiplap was installed behind the grill – an EVO 30” ceramic top griddle. The counter is a wood to accent the other aspects of the project. The ceiling is pre-stained tongue and groove with cedar beams. The flooring is a stained stamped concrete without a pattern. The homeowner now has a great space to entertain – they had custom tables made to fit in the space. TK Images

architects: Estes/Twombly photo: Warren Jagger
Patio - contemporary patio idea in Providence with a fire pit and decking

Klopf Architecture and Outer space Landscape Architects designed a new warm, modern, open, indoor-outdoor home in Los Altos, California. Inspired by mid-century modern homes but looking for something completely new and custom, the owners, a couple with two children, bought an older ranch style home with the intention of replacing it. Created on a grid, the house is designed to be at rest with differentiated spaces for activities; living, playing, cooking, dining and a piano space. The low-sloping gable roof over the great room brings a grand feeling to the space. The clerestory windows at the high sloping roof make the grand space light and airy. Upon entering the house, an open atrium entry in the middle of the house provides light and nature to the great room. The Heath tile wall at the back of the atrium blocks direct view of the rear yard from the entry door for privacy. The bedrooms, bathrooms, play room and the sitting room are under flat wing-like roofs that balance on either side of the low sloping gable roof of the main space. Large sliding glass panels and pocketing glass doors foster openness to the front and back yards. In the front there is a fenced-in play space connected to the play room, creating an indoor-outdoor play space that could change in use over the years. The play room can also be closed off from the great room with a large pocketing door. In the rear, everything opens up to a deck overlooking a pool where the family can come together outdoors. Wood siding travels from exterior to interior, accentuating the indoor-outdoor nature of the house. Where the exterior siding doesn’t come inside, a palette of white oak floors, white walls, walnut cabinetry, and dark window frames ties all the spaces together to create a uniform feeling and flow throughout the house. The custom cabinetry matches the minimal joinery of the rest of the house, a trim-less, minimal appearance. Wood siding was mitered in the corners, including where siding meets the interior drywall. Wall materials were held up off the floor with a minimal reveal. This tight detailing gives a sense of cleanliness to the house. The garage door of the house is completely flush and of the same material as the garage wall, de-emphasizing the garage door and making the street presentation of the house kinder to the neighborhood. The house is akin to a custom, modern-day Eichler home in many ways. Inspired by mid-century modern homes with today’s materials, approaches, standards, and technologies. The goals were to create an indoor-outdoor home that was energy-efficient, light and flexible for young children to grow. This 3,000 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom new house is located in Los Altos in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, and Chuang-Ming Liu 
Landscape Architect: Outer space Landscape Architects 
Structural Engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers 
Staging: Da Lusso Design 
Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed 
Location: Los Altos, CA
 Year completed: 2017

Reclaimed wood provided by Appalachian Antique Hardwoods. Architect Platt Architecture, PA, Builder Morgan-Keefe, Photographer J. Weiland
Mountain style porch idea in Other with a roof extension

Ciro Coelho Photography
Example of a trendy concrete patio design in Santa Barbara with a pergola and a fireplace